Netflix changed its strategy and decided to release three of its upcoming films in a limited number of theaters before the debut on the streaming service, in order to increase its award chances. One of the movies is “Roma”, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Roma will premiere in theatres of Los Angeles, New York and Mexico on November 21. The debut on Netflix is set to December 14. In London and other US markets, the film will be available starting November 29. Then, it will reach other cities and countries on December 7.
The other two titles that will follow this strategy are “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”, a new movie from Joel and Ethan Coen, and “Bird box: blind” directed by Susanne Bier, a thriller starring Sandra Bullock and Sarah Paulson. The first will have a limited release on November 8, while the second on December 13, both in rooms in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and London. The first one will have a limited release on November 8, and the second one on December 13, both in theaters in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and London.
Until now, the streaming giant gave priority to its online members, which at the end of Q318 reached 137 million globally. However, this move will now allow it to be present at awards such as the Oscars and the Golden Globes.
Netflix’s strategy of offering productions with cinematographic features on its online service was criticized first by Cannes Film festival head Theirry Fremaux. He announced a ban on films from the main competition which do not have a theatrical release in France.